Staff and governors from schools across Bury were invited to a first Traded Services fair on November 8, where they were introduced to meet with suppliers from council departments. The aim, to find out more about services offered, work more effectively and potentially save some cash.
There were 31 services from the council which attended the event ranging from school attendance, school catering and school security services, to waste management, recycling and pest control.
The event was designed as an opportunity for schools to meet the services it buys from the council, to improve relationships and to give them a forum to discuss any issues and their requirements. It also aimed to introduce schools to the services they buy from other suppliers which could also be provided by the council.
The idea for the event came from a Traded Services Review undertaken with schools, and overseen by a Traded Services Steering Group led by the Assistant Director of Learning, Ian Chambers. He said: “The feedback from the event was extremely positive. It gave Headteachers and Governors the chance to meet the council officers they may talk to on a regular basis but rarely get the chance to meet. More importantly it allowed us to showcase the vast number of services available to schools in Bury. It really was most impressive. I’m sure it will lead to greater awareness and increased take-up by schools of what we have to offer.”
